| Let us begin our trip at Hibiya Park (location 1 on the map), which was opened in 1903 as the first Western-style park in Japan. The area was once home to powerful families like the Matsudaira (an offshoot of the Tokugawa clan) during the Edo period (1603-1868), and it served as a training ground for the army during the Meiji era (1868-1912). The park, which covers more than 160,000 square meters and is replete with trees and other plants, is a wonderful place to spend a few quiet minutes in the morning. In addition, the park is nearby the Imperial Hotel (location 2), which contains a world-renowned, award-winning bakery. Quite a few people can be seen in Hibiya Park enjoying baked goods that they purchased at the hotel. |
